Choosing Better Roofing

When something breaks on your home, you might be tempted to find the cheapest alternative instead of investing massive amounts of money. However, sometimes the more expensive choice is the better one. A few years ago, I realized that we needed a new roof. After doing a little research, I chose inexpensive shingles and nails. After the new products were installed, I could tell that there was a problem. Fortunately, a roofer friend of mine spotted the trouble and helped me to repair my home. This blog is all about helping you to decode roofing materials, so that you can avoid problems down the road.

Best Roofing Materials For 2 Styles Of Victorian Revival Homes

Posted on:
2 August 2016

Victorian Revival homes come in a few styles that combine the classic asymmetry, geometric lines, and decorative accents of a Victorian home with elements of other architectural styles. Understanding the features of your home's style can help you make design decisions and choose materials such as choosing a roofing material for a roof repair or replacement project.

Here are two common styles of Victorian Revival homes and the best roofing materials for each style, which you can discuss in further detail with your roofing contractors.

Gothic Revival

Gothic revival Victorians, also called Gothic revival farmhouses, combine classic Gothic elements including arch-shaped windows and a small, steep-sided gable roof towards the center of the home. The main roof typically has a cross gable shape, which means the main roof's sides and the smaller roof's sides are orientated in opposite directions.

Gothic revival homes often have wood siding or accents, so using wood shakes or shingles on the roof can continue on that motif. Shakes have a more textured appearance than shingles, but both come from the same types of wood and can come stained in several different natural colors. You will need to monitor the roofing for signs of insect or weather damage, but the visual appeal can prove worth the bit of added maintenance.

Do you need to stick to a tight budget for your Gothic revival roofing project? Consider using asphalt shingles instead. The shingles are relatively durable, low cost, and available in several colors and textures including some resembling wood shingles. You do want to evaluate how much direct wind your gable roof receives, as the slopes can speed up the wind because the lightweight asphalt shingles can come loose or break under high wind conditions.

Tudor Revival

Tudor revival homes have distinct timber accents that accentuate the geometric lines of the home. This style of Victorian also features narrow windows and multiple steep-pitched gable roofs that overlap and intersect at various points.

Wood is a good choice for a Tudor revival roof due to the timber accents playing such a vital role in the home's look. Match the stain on the siding timber as closely as possible to give the home a more streamlined appearance. Don't worry about the matching colors making the home look too monotone because a lot of neutral-colored siding peeks through the timber accents.

Tudor revival homes have a bit of a medieval castle appearance so slate tiles can also serve as an attractive roofing option. Slate has a natural elegance and neutral stone coloration, and it combines both longevity and low-maintenance requirements. Slate does come with a higher price tag, so make sure the material falls within your budget before getting your heart set on slate.

You also need to have your roofing contractors make sure that the gabled roofs have enough bracing to support the weight of the slate tiles. Standard gable roofs have minimal bracing to preserve indoor space, but the Victorian revival's numerous intersecting gables might have a better bracing system in place – or room for your roofing contractors to add that bracing.